Australasian Biotechnology,
Volume 6 Number 4, July/August 1996, pp.218-221
Microbial biopesticides and integrated pest management
D.G. Holdom, C.J. Monsour, R.E. Teakle, D.J. Rogers and
M.P. Walton,
Code Number: AU96007
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Increasing environmental, regulatory and market pressures,
along with increasing pest resistance, are dictating a
progressive move away from chemicals for insect pest control.
Insect pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi and nematodes),
produced artificially and formulated into microbial
biopesticides, can provide part of the answer, both as
alternatives to chemicals and as components of resistance
management strategies. While the large markets, particularly
for Bacillus thuringiensis, are dominated by large
multinationals, there is considerable scope for local
producers to target regional and niche markets.
The development of microbial pesticides requires research into
production, formulation, application and adoption issues for
each product. The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC)for
Tropical Pest Management has research interests in initial
development, application strategies and adoption of microbial
biopesticides in integrated pest management programs.
Collaborative programs involving potential producers with
expertise in medium and large scale production, and users are
essential for the long-term success of biopesticides. The CRC
concept is well suited to such collaborative research.
Copyright 1996 Australian Biotechnology Association Ltd.
